We chanced upon this almost horizontal eucalyptus tree while hiking up the unpaved fire trail on McNee Ranch (also called Montara Mountain) State Park recently. It could have been struck by lightning or uprooted by strong gusts of wind that these parts are known for.

Although the tree has obviously fallen, it has continued to thrive thanks to whatever remaining roots it had that still grabbed on to the soil deep underneath where it lay. Over time, it looks like it sprouted fresh branches that have grown vertically along its trunk. The leaves looked healthy and the branches were sturdy and tall.

I was struck by the tree’s triumph over such intense adversity. I am reminded of a fellow blogger’s plight as he struggles with past crises and its aftermath.